asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction stage 1 and stage 2 of the Upper Liffey Valley regional sewerage scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
2.
I have sanctioned a loan of £828,000 to finance the construction of phase 1 of stage 1 of this scheme which consists of the new treatment works at Oberstown, Naas, and other works. I have also approved the acceptance of tenders for the mechanical plant needed. Tenders for the civil works should shortly be submitted to my Department. There are no proposals for a further stage of this scheme before my Department.
No doubt the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that detailed programmes and estimated costs for the Upper and Lower Liffey Valley schemes, were submitted to his Department on 13th July, 1973, and that stage 1, phase 2 would bring in Droichead Nua, Sallins and Clane where a huge number of planning applications are held up because of the inability of the present sewerage system to cope with extra houses. Does the Parliamentary Secretary not feel that it would be money well spent to allow this go ahead and give immediate employment in the area?
No proposals for stage 2 of the scheme—which will serve Kilcullen and Ballymore Eustace —have been submitted to the Department. That is the information I have here.
Stage 2 will cover Kilcullen and Ballymore Eustace. But I am referring to stage 1, phase 2, which concerns extension works in Droichead Nua, Sallins and Clane, which are of vital importance in an area depressed by unemployment at present.
The revised estimated cost of phase 1 is £828,000— May, 1976 prices—and a loan for this amount was sanctioned on 30th November, 1976. Tenders for the mechanical treatment plant and sludge pressing were approved on 1st April, 1977 in sums of £55,592 and £151,469 respectively. Tenders for the civil works contract are at present being examined by the consulting engineers.
To clarify matters, when we raised this at county council level we were given to understand that availability of finance determined the priorities. It was the unanimous feeling of all members of all parties in the county that money spent on this scheme would provide immediate employment in the area. I should like to impress that on the Parliamentary Secretary.
It is actually with the consulting engineers. The Deputy can rest assured that I will mention the matter to the Minister.
3.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the sewerage scheme for Caragh, Naas, County Kildare.
A feasibility report has been submitted for this scheme and there has been correspondence between my Department and Kildare County Council. Pending submission by the county council of the information sought on certain aspects, I cannot say when approval will issue to the further planning of the scheme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware of the grave need for houses in the area and that the council have a site there and are willing to provide houses for needy applicants but that their provision is dependent on sanction being received for stages 1 and 2 of the Upper Liffey Valley regional sewerage scheme? Could he give any idea of how soon sanction will be given?
Kildare County Council levied a charge of £1,200 per acre and the Department wrote to them in July, 1975, requesting details of the total amount of the levy collected to date in regard to the sanitary services. We are awaiting a reply from them.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean that the county council have not yet replied to a letter from the Department of July, 1975?
It is not that easy. There are matters in relation to charges. The Department are keeping in touch with the council about it and I think it will be cleared up fairly quickly.
4.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that contract documents for the mid-regional water supply scheme contracts D and E to serve Allen and Milltown have been awaiting sanction in his Department since 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the importance of contract E which is designed to serve a large rural area from the Mid-Kildare water supply scheme and I hope very shortly to be in a position to convey a decision on the documents which are before my Department. In view of the need to conserve capital for the water and sewerage schemes of highest priority, I cannot say when I will be in a position to convey a decision to the local authority on the documents for contract D which are also under consideration in my Department. This contract is for the construction of a reservoir but I understand that the servicing of the area could continue for a considerable period and that the reservoir is not an immediate requirement.
I think the Parliamentary Secretary for his lengthy reply, but he should be aware that a promise was made on behalf of the Minister some time ago and I hope the spirit that prevailed at that time will hold good in this pre-election period. The people there may think that because time may be running out for the Minister that promise will not be kept. FEOGA already have given a grant and if they can do so, why not our own Government?
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.